Which option best describes an API?
Choose an answer
Tap an option to check your answer.
Correct answer: A contract that defines how components communicate and exchange data..
Why this is the answer
An Application Programming Interface (API) is fundamentally a set of defined rules and protocols that dictate how different software components or applications can interact and exchange information. It acts as a contract, specifying the methods, data formats, and conventions that developers must follow to request services or data from another system. This allows for interoperability and integration between disparate software systems. "An architectural style (rather than a protocol) for designing applications" describes REST, which is an architectural style often implemented using APIs, but it's not the definition of an API itself. "A stateless client–server model" is a characteristic of RESTful APIs, not a general definition of an API. "Requesting data by specifying a URL path that models the data" describes a common way to interact with web APIs, particularly RESTful ones, but it's a specific mechanism rather than the overarching definition of an API.
Pass your exam — without the endless answer hunt
Get every verified question and explanation for this exam in one place, and save hours of prep. 1,000+ certifications · 20+ languages · free to start.
Pass your exam faster → No card needed